Ed Conley 1927-2012

Covington native and legendary bassist on
numerous crucial sessions done for Cincinnati’s King Records, Ed
Conley, passed away on Jan. 5 at the age of 84. Following the private
memorial for family a couple of weeks ago, friends and admirers this
Thursday will gather at the Gwen Mooney Funeral Home (inside Spring
Grove Cemetery at 4521 Spring Grove Ave.) at 1 p.m. for a public
ceremony. The memorial will, of course, feature music performed by
Conley’s friends, so expect it to be more of a celebration of the
bassist’s life and his major contributions to music rather than a some
sorrowful affair.

Conley was the go-to session bassist for
King Records during its heyday in the ’50s/’60s, performing on numerous
recordings for the historic label, including songs that became
standards, like Hank Ballard & The Midnighters’ original version of
“The Twist” and Little Willie John’s “Fever,” which Peggy Lee turned
into a smash hit. If King Records was the petri dish for Rock & Roll
— its unsegregated approach freeing up the artists to explore uncharted
territory and crossover to a wider audience — then Ed Conley deserves
major credit for his role in shaping the bottom-end.

Conley went on to play Jazz all over town
on a regular basis, transferring his “go-to bassist” role to the local
Jazz scene. In recent years, he performed with Billie Walker and his
longtime friend (and King rhythm-section partner) Phillip Paul at the
Cincinnatian Hotel, a gig he kept right up until he passed. Conley had
also been involved in various projects aimed at preserving the legacy of
King (and Cincinnati’s rich musical history in general).

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Bill Hulsizer,
founder of the Big Joe Duskin Music Education Foundation, had recently
brought Conley and Paul into some area schools to talk about music and
introduce the King legacy to a new generation.

A hearty “R.I.P.” to a true local legend.

Rumors, Lies and General Misunderstandings

• Six-piece Indie Folk ensemble Merely the Mocs celebrates the release of its new EP, A Cynic’s Prayer,
Saturday at Rohs Street Café (245 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights).
The group is joined by Indigo Wild, Sun Country and Humming House for
the 8 p.m. show. Cover charge is $5, which includes your very own copy
of A Cynic’s Prayer. (www.facebook.com/merelythemocs)

• Local radio station ClassX (available
at 89.1 and 88.9 FM or online at classxradio.com) is presenting a
benefit concert Sunday to help raise money to buy new equipment for the
station. One of the few outlets on the radio dial to support local music
in the area (long-running show Kindred Sanction, which
plays only local music, airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m.), ClassX isn’t trying to
upgrade to anything fancy — the FCC is requiring the station to
purchase the new equipment in order to deliver emergency alerts, as well
as Amber Alerts. Since ClassX is a non-profit and sees itself as a
community radio station, it has come to the public for help. Sunday’s
benefit at the club Win Place or Show (7121 Dixie Hwy., Fairfield) runs
1-9 p.m. and features 12 local acts, including Dallas Moore, Kenny
Greco, Matt Williamson, T. Bowlin, Lemon Sky, After Midnight, Bad Habit,
The Cincinnati Sinners, Devil’s Due and 1330. Admission is a $10
donation.

• Popular veteran rockers Prizoner
(which, save a few years in the ’90s, has had a presence in the local
music scene for the past 32 years) performs a special concert Saturday
night at MVP Sports Bar & Grille (6923 Plainfield Road, Silverton),
former home to beloved Rock club Never on Sundays (which the band played
often). Though largely a cover band now, the band is treating longtime
fans to a full-album performance of its debut, Young and Rejected,
which will be played as part of the group’s first set. Showtime is 9:30
p.m., but a big turnout is expected so you may want to arrive early.
(prisoner.com)

• This Saturday, Mayday (4227 Spring
Grove Ave., Northside) hosts “Rock Notes for College Hopes: A Project
REACH Benefit Show.” The event will include raffles and other
opportunities to give (there is no cover charge), plus some great music
by local Indie bands Frontier Folk Nebraska, Evans Collective and
self-described “Party Blues Pop Rock” quintet LZRPNY. Proceeds will go
to the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative’s Project REACH and its “Spring
Break College Tour” program for local public high school juniors and
seniors. (Learn more at www.cycyouth.org.) The fundraiser begins at 8
p.m.